Methadone Treatment Works—So Why Is It Hard to Access?
3Methadone treatment saves lives—but outdated policies continue to limit access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulations changed to allow more patients to take home methadone and proved that increased access works without increasing risk. Some states have stepped up to modernize their policies, but too many still create unnecessary barriers.
In this video, Pew's Brandee Izquierdo and Frances McGaffey dive into the policy behind access to treatment, what we learned from the pandemic, and why it's time for more states to act.
🔹 Why methadone access is so restricted
🔹 How pandemic-era policy changes helped patients
🔹 What needs to change at the state level
Learn more about this issue at pewtrusts.org/en/projects/substance-use-prevention-and-treatment-initiative